Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
I don't disagree with your general point, but I would note that the publisher does not (normally, at least) own the copyright in the work, and the length of the publishing contract has nothing to do with the term of copyright protection.
|
Excellent question, Harry. I did not mean loss of work in the strict sense of an actual assignment of the copyright, I deliberately kept things very general to cover the situation where the author is effectively giving up virtually all their rights associated with their work.
I'm well aware of the "out of print" clauses which in the past have sometimes enabled an author to regain control of their work. But, as has been mentioned in the past on these forums, things have changed. EBooks never need go "out of print". Nor POD books. And the Big 5, or at least their parent companies, have realised that any book in their backlist is a valuable item on their balance sheet. Who knows what books, even previously unsuccessful obscure titles, may later rise to prominence and earn profits. I don't hear so much these days of authors rights being reverted for zero or nominal consideration. My view is that "out of print" now effectively means for the term of the copyright. This is very arguable though it is of course possible that an author with deep pockets may litigate the matter and have a court decide differently They would do so at their own peril and cost with a possibility but not a likelihood of success.